Gabriele's inspiration came from his enjoyment of "mamma's" cooking. Growing up and working beside his mother in the small family business of gastronomy at the age of fifteen, his passion of Northern Italian cuisine flourished and he eventually opened his own gastronomy.
Gabriele trained in Bologna and devoted himself to the art of cooking. In 1991, he came to Canada to fulfill his dream. After six years of establishing himself in the restaurant community of Toronto, Ontario. He hit the jackpot - Romagna Mia was opened!
Offering an authentic slice of Italy, Gabriele shares the authentic flavours of his homeland: Parmigiano-Reggiano, prosciutto di Parma, truffle, traditional balsamic vinegar, risotto, fresh pasta, and piadina (a flat bread, typical of the Romagna region).
Over the past twelve years, his accolades include:
- First place for the 2001 Golden Spoon Risotto Competition and the 2000 Silver Spoon Risotto Competition.
- A bronze medal at the ExpoGast 2002 World Championships in Luxembourg.
- An accreditation with the Maestro di Cucina from the Associazione Professionale Cuochi Italiani in Frascati, Rome.
- Scoring 2nd and 3rd for the New York City competition of the "best recipe of North America 2003-04" organized by the magazine La Cucina Italiana with his Risotto Fagiano e Tartufo and his renown Strozzapreti alla Romagnola in Camicia di Parma Prosciutto.
Gabriele's aspiration to excel in his art is paired with his constant devotion in continuous training here in Canada and in Italy. Always aware of new cooking techniques along with a devotion to the art, his cuisine reflects his homage to traditional "Pellegrino Artusi" style of science in the kitchen and the art of eating well!
